Local Area Attractions

Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens

610 Pollock Street, (252) 514-4900 Known in colonial times as one of the most beautiful public buildings in America, the elegant Georgian-style mansion served as both home of Royal Governor William Tryon and the capital of the Colony of North Carolina. Restored to its 18th-century glory, Tryon Palace is furnished with an outstanding collection of antiques and art. The grounds are devoted to extensive gardens ranging from English formal gardens to a kitchen garden to wilderness garden areas. The complex includes four contrasting homes of exceptional beauty. Interpreters in period costumes conduct tours all year. An audiovisual orientation program and crafts demonstration, including cooking in the Tryon Palace kitchen, basket weaving and blacksmithing, are offered daily.

New Bern Tours (Trolley Tour)

333 Middle Street (252) 637-7316 Discover three centuries of history and architectural beauty in a 90-minute trolley car tour of downtown New Bern. Professional guides will recount the fascinating details of this former royal capital of North Carolina.

Birthplace of Pepsi

256 Middle Street (252) 636-5895 On this spot in his pharmacy, Caleb Bradham invented "Brad's Drink," which later he patented as Pepsi Cola. Today you can relax and enjoy a Pepsi Cola at the recreated soda fountain and purchase a souvenir.

Fireman's Museum

408 Hancock Street (252) 636-4087 This building houses steam pumpers and an extensive collection of early fire-fighting equipment along with rare photographs, Civil War relics, and even the mounted head of a faithful old fire-horse named Fred, who died while answering an alarm.

Local Area Events

New Bern Spring Historic Homes & Gardens Tour

Description: The New Bern Historical Society and the New Bern Preservation Foundation invite you to enjoy wonderful Spring in New Bern with the Spring Historic Homes & Gardens Tour!

On April 10th & 11th homeowners will invite you in to some of the most beautiful and interesting historic homes in Downtown New Bern. Get a behind the scenes look at homes that have so much to tell us of the history of this town founded in 1710. Many of the area's historic churches will also be open offering music along with a tour.

Columbus Ships the Nina & Pinta

Welcome to The Columbus Foundation and our two Columbus replica ships - ouroriginal Niña, the most historically accurate replica of a Columbus Ship ever built, and our recently-built Pinta.Both The Niña and Pinta will be touring together as a new and enhanced sailing museum, for the purpose of educating the public and school children on the caravel, a Portuguese ship used by Columbus and many early explorers to discover the world.COMING TO MOREHEAD CITY APRIL 16-20.Sanitary Fish Market and Restauranthttp://www.thenina.com for more details

George Washington's 2nd Southern Tour Weekend

Apr 24 - 26, 2015

Dates/Times: April 24-26, 2015 Various events taking place throughout the weekend!

Location: Various locations throughout Historic Downtown New Bern

Description: On April 20-21, 1791, President George Washington visited New Bern, North Carolina as part of his "Southern Tour." His goals for the tour were to personally observe the condition of the three Southern states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, and to assure himself of the strength of the newly formed United States of America in this region.

He kept a diary during the tour, and was "exceedingly" pleased with his reception in New Bern. The town received him with cannon fire, speeches, a grand dinner and a ball at Tryon Palace, and with great respect and admiration for his leadership and sacrifices during the War of Independence. To honor our first President's visit to New Bern, the citizens of the city are recreating the various events he attended in 1791...and adding some new events too!

Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride September 11 & 12, 2015

Sep 11 - 12, 2015

Bike MS is a 2-day cycling event that raises funds to support people living with multiple sclerosis in eastern North Carolina and throughout the United States. Money raised through this event funds MS research, programs, services, and advocacy. In 2011, over 2,600 participants raised $1,677,423 to create a world free of MS. This year, our goal is to raise $1.7 million!

Bike MS cyclists enjoy two full days of riding through rural eastern North Carolina. Each day, cyclists can choose to ride 30, 75, 50 or 100 miles on fully-supported routes. At the conclusion of each day's ride, cyclists are greeted by cheerful volunteers, a delicious, hot meal, ice cold beverages, and live entertainment. It's a great time, you should join us!